Control device for one-hand operation

ABSTRACT

A control device for one hand operation to control propulsion units of a submarine craft. A pivotally mounted spherical support member adjusts by its pivotal movement several control members to influence the speed and sense of rotation of a main propeller assembly. A pair of control elements pivotally supported at the spherical support member adjust by their pivotal movement other control members and influence speed and sense rotation of additional propeller assemblies.

United States Patent 1191 Haas Dec. 4, 1973 [54] CONTROL DEVICE FOR ONE-HAND 3,104,641 9/1963 Froehlich 74/469 OPERATION 2,762,234 9/1956 Dodd 3,394,611 7/1968 Beurrier 74/471 X [75] Inventor: Jorg Haas, Neureut, Germany [73] Assignee: Bruker-Physik AG, Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre Karlsruhe-Fomhheim, G n Assistant ExaminerWesley S. Ratliff, Jr.

' -P Filed: I Jan. 1972 Attorney aul M Craig, Jr etal [21] Appl. No.: 219,031 57 S A A control device for one hand operation to control [30] Foreign Application Priority Datav propulsion units of I a submarine craft. A pivotally Nov. 6, 1971 Germany P 21 55 190.6 mounted Spherical pp member adjusts y its P otal movement several control members to influence [52] US. Cl; 74/471 the speed and sense of rotation of a a p p ll r as- [51] Int. Cl G05g 9/00 y- A p of control elements p ta y supp rt d [58] Field of Search 74/469, 479, 471 at the spherical pp member adjust y their P oral movement other control members and influence [56] Referen s Cit d speed and sense rotation of additional propeller as- UNITED STATES PATENTS semblles- 2,379,778 7/1945 Allen 74/471 X 19 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 ij b 57 Hi J7 ""7 7 Z7 1 1 1 2/ 1 v J 10 (L I] /4 Z? I9 25 1 v SHEET '4 OF 5 .Gxso

CONTROL DEVICE FOR ONE-HAND OPERATION The present invention relates to a control device for one-hand operation pennitting a plurality of variables Such control devices for one-hand operation have been known heretofore, e.'g. in the'form of the joy stick customarily employed in aircraft. Similar control devices have also been used for remote-controlled model aircraft to operate the elevator and rudder by moving the stick accordingly so that the airborne plane will climb, sink or bank. When employed to control model ships, the joy stick controls the right-hand and lefthand deflections of the rudder as well as ahead and astern drive of the propulsion unit. Howevenmany applications call for the control of a plurality of functions. A point in case is the control of hovering or suspended craft, which, apart from ahead and astern propulsion, involves the control of positive and negative buoyancy as well as turning motions about the longitudinal 'or transverse axis. Finally, it is a disadvantage of the prior art joy sticks that transmission of the stick movements to the transmission elements, such as control elements, which initiate the corresponding control movements frequently permits only very limited swivel angles of the joy stick.

viewed against thebackground of this prior art, it is v the object of the present invention to provide an improved control device which permits the transmission of the control movements to control elements through comparatively large swivel angles and which, in addition, affords the possibility of influencing more than two variables. v

In accordance with the present invention, this object is accomplished by providing a control device which is characterized in that is has a swivel-mounted support assembly'which can be swiveled to position a first control element and in that at least one operating member whose swivel axis is'normal to the swivel axis of the support assembly and which can be swiveled to position a second control element is swivably on the said support assembly. A special advantage of such a control device consists in that it permits very large swivel angles and that yet the motions transmitted to the control elements do not interfere with each other. An added advantage consists in that only pivot bearings are used which provide an accurately defined axis of rotation and which can be constructed with a minimum of clearance, thus eliminating a major problem inherent in conventional ball-and-socket guides and joints.

The support assembly may .take any desired suitable form. According to a preferred embodiment of the in- .vention, the support assembly takes the form of a member intersect in the center of the sphere, although an-arrangement in which the point of intersection is located at some distance from the center of the sphere would also be practicable. Altematively, the swivel axes of the sphere and of the operating member may be located so that they will not intersect at all. However, regardless of how the'invention is embodied in detail, it is always expedient to locate at least the swivel axis of the sphere so that it will pass through the center of the sphere. This has the advantage that the sphere will fixedly maintain its distance from adjacent parts during all control motions so that any risk of interference between sphere movements and adjacent components is virtually eliminated.

The operating member which is swivably supported on the support assembly may take any desired form, such as that ofa lever.

As mentioned herein first above, it is frequently desirable that such a control device be capable of influencing more than two control functions. The control device of the present invention readily permits a further variable to be controlled. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of this invention there is provided a second swivably supported operating member whose swivel axis coincides with the swivel axis of the first operating member and which can be swiveled to position a third control element. In this embodiment of the invention, the operating members may take the form'of lever. double level. The special advantage consists in that in a submarine craft, for example, the control device is capable of controlling not only the main propulsion unit as regards output and sense of rotation but also auxiliary propulsion units located in the bow and stem or on the sides-of the submarine craft for maneuvering purposes and acting in a direction normal to the direction in which the main propulsion unit acts. By simultaneously operating these two auxiliary propulsion units in the same direction and with the same power the craft may be moved in the vertical direction without any change of buoyant lift. Furthermore, the craft may be tilted about a longitudinal and/or transverse axis by operating the auxiliary propulsion units'unequ'ally. This results in a'very high maneuverability and mobility of the submarine craft and permits its vertical position to be changed in such a manner that the suspended condition is restored as soon as the auxiliary "propulsion units are switched off. This high manoeuvrability is a great advantage in salvage, as well as investigation and research'operations. The auxiliary propulsion units are capable of producing a relatively high positive or negative buoyancy enabling the position of the submarine craft to be changed quickly. Producing such positive or negative buoyancy by flooding or blowing of ballast tanks would be a relativelyslow process owing to the large amounts of water to be displaced and restoring the desired suspended condition by accurately trimming the submarine, craft upon reaching the desired position would also be very time-consuming.

The manner in which the various propulsion units are correlated to the various control elements may follow any desired pattern. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the swivel motion of the support assembly is used to control a main propulsion unit, said support assembly adjusting speed and/or sense of rotation of the motor of the main propulsion unit through the first control element. According to a further development, the swivel motions of the operating members are used to control two auxiliary propulsion units disposed in spaced relation to each other, said operating members adjusting speed and/or sense of rotation of the motor of the respective auxiliary propulsion unit through the second or third control element. Thus, the control device may be used to control both the main propulsion unit by swiveling the support assembly and the auxiliary propulsion units, which preferably act in a direction normal to the direction in which the main propulsion unit acts, by means of the operating members. Especially in a submarine craft in which thetwo auxiliary propulsion units disposed with spaced relation to each other have their axes located in a horizontal plane, this embodiment of a control device in accordance with the invention can be used to great advantage. The two auxiliary propulsion units are then preferably located in the bow and stem regions of the craft. By operating the two auxiliary propulsion units simultaneously, the submarine craft may be displaced in parallel relation to itself transversely to its longitudinal axis. By driving the two auxiliary propulsion units unequally, the craft may be turned about its vertical axis. Thus, a target need not be approached with the bow ahead and it is also possible to turn the craft on the spot. In this embodiment, the control device is disposed so that the swivel axis of the sphere or support assembly extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the craft in a horizontal plane and that the swivel axis of bothoperating members extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the craft. Moving the two operating members in the longitudinal direction of the craft will cause the support assembly to be swiveled and, depending on the direction in which the operating members are moved, the main propulsion unit will be triggered for ahead or astern drive since the direction in which the main propulsion unit acts is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the craft. Swiveling the two operating members sideways triggers the auxiliary propulsion units which will then produce a thrust in the corresponding direction. To turn the craft on the spot,

the two operating members are displaced out of their central position in opposite directions, with the result that the two auxiliary propulsion units act with equal power in opposite directions, thusproducing a force couple which turns the submarine craft about its vertical axis. l-lere, use is made of the advantage afforded by the control device of the invention which consists in that the support assembly may be swiveled by the operating members when the operating member is not moved tangentially to its swivel axis but in a direction having a component which is normal thereto.

The support assembly may beprovided with shaft stubs which are rigidly connected to the support assembly and which transmit their swivel motions to control elements. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support assembly is swivelmounted on fixed journals and the control element which may be positioned by the swivel motion of the support assembly is secured to said support assembly, the positioning element of the control element being operatively connected to the journal. The special advantage of this arrangement consists in that the control element may be protected by accommodating it within the support assembly, i.e., within the sphere, for example. According to a further development, the journal has splined onto it a gear which meshes with another gear splined onto the shaft serving as positioning element for the control element, the control element being located so that when the support assembly is swiveled its shaft will move along an arcuate path whose axis coincides with the swivel axis. The desired transmission ratio of the swivel angle of the support assembly to the positioning angle of the positioning element may be selected by an appropriate choice of the numbers of teeth of the two gears.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the further control elements whose positioning elements are operatively connected to the operating members are also secured to the support assembly. This is no problem because the operating members are supported on the support assembly so that they perform no motions relatively to the support assembly apart from their own swivel motion. This only relative motion with respect to the support assembly is transmitted to the positioning elements for positioning purposes. To this end, one embodiment of the invention provides for a coaxial arrangement of the control element shafts serving as positoning elements and the swivel axes of the operating members. This means that the swivel motion of the operating members may be directly transmitted to the positioning shafts of the control elements. Alternatively, planetary gear drives may be interposed between the said coaxial shafts to provide for a specific transmission ratio between the swivel angles of the operating member and the positioning shafts of the control elements.

Any desired control means, such as slide valves or cylindrical rotary valves acting as switches and/or controllable throttles to influence hydraulic control circuits, may be used as control elements. In preferred embodiments of the invention, potentiometers and/or switches are used as control elements, the switches serving to effect a change-over in the central neutral zone and the potentiometers being used for stepless control, preferably in proportion to the swivel angle. The advantage consists in that the necessary electric connecting cables can be led out without any difficulty, e.g., through a journal which is provided with a hollow interior for that purpose. An added advantage consists in that both the switches and the potentiometers are relatively small components, which results in a handy size of the control device. The relatively small dimensions of the potentiometers also enable the potentiometer for the main propulsion unit to be shifted from the center towards the periphery of the sphere and to mesh the gear splined onto its positioning shaft with the gear splined onto the journal in the manner previously described. ln this case, the potentiometer is shifted away from the center of the sphere in the opposite direction of the operating members so that the swivel angle of the operating members may be relatively large because there is then no interference from the potentiometer. This enables the swivel range of the operating members to be increased to about which is the maximum possible value permitted by design limitations.

The switches are preferably designed for actuation by means of cam plates which can be swiveled together with the operating members and are secured to the journals for the support assembly, said cam plates being disposed so that the switches will switch on the respective propulsion unit upon being moved through only a small swivel angle with respect to the neutral position. The switches reverse the sense of rotation while the potentiometers ajust the speed, preferably in proportion to the swivel angles of the operating members and the support assembly. It is, however, also possible, e.g., by using suitable function potentiometers, to establish any desired other relationship between swivel angle and speed such as a mechanism whereby a large swivel vicinity of the neutral zone. Such function potentiomcontrol solenoid-operated change-over valves while the potentiometers are used to control flow control valves. This provides a very advantageous and practical transition from the electrical system of the control device to the hydraulic system of the craft.

The control device may be designed for permanent installation. However, according to a preferred embodiment of this invention the control device is provided with detachable fasteners of a mechanical nature as well as connectors for all control lines. This affords the advantage that the control device may be fastened and connected at any point of the submarine craft that has been prepared for that purpose. It is, for instance, possible to provide such fastening and connecting points at all observation windows. The advantage consists in that the faborable maneuvering properties of a submarine craft equipped with the control device of the present invention can be fully utilized by permitting the helmsman to move with his control device to the observation window located nearest to the point towards which he wishes to steer the craft. If, for instance, a gripping device is provided on the side of the craft or a soil sampling device at the stem, the helmsman can move to the adjacent window and control the motions of the submarine craft and the operation of the tools, grapplers' and manipulators with direct visual observation. 1

Further details and developments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in which one embodiment of a control device in accordance with this invention will be explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a control device in accor dance with the invention, I r

FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1, partly as an elevation and partly as a sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. 1, a v

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is partly a sectional view along the line IV'IV in FIG. 3 and partly a top plan view in the direction of the arrow IV showing the device with its hood removed,

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing how a propulsion unit controlled by means of the control device of the invention can be operated, and v FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a submarine craft with a plurality of propulsion units which may be controlled by means of the control device of this invention.

The control device ring the present invention is provided with a tubular support fing 1 having a flange 2 on one side which is provided with holes 3 for fastening purposes. On the side facing away from the flange 2, the support ring 1 is provided with two diametrically opposed coaxial hollow journals 4 and 5. The axis of 6 the journals extends parallel to the plane defined by the flange 2.

The support assembly comprises one lower hemisphere 6 and two upper quarter spheres 7 with a longitudinal slot 8 extending along their parting line. Viewed from above, the longitudinal slot 8 extends parallel to the axis of the journals 4 and 5. The hemisphere 6 and the quarter spheres 7 are fastened to a frame-type supporting structure 9 which is provided with bores to receive the journals 4 and 5. Thus, the supporting structure 9, together with the quarter spheres 7 andv the hemisphere 6, may be swiveled about the common axis of the journals 4 and 5. The frame 9 is of the split type. Its plane of separation coincides with the plane of separation between the hemisphere 6 and the quarter spheres 7.

The hollow journal 4 receives a shaft stub 10 on which a gear 11 is mounted in a manner preventing relative rotation. The shaft stub 10 cannot rotate with respect to the support ring 1. The gear 11 meshes with a mating gear 12 which is mounted on a positioning shaft 13 of a potentiometer 14 in a manner preventing relative rotation. The potentiometer 14 is secured to the supporting structure 9, the axis of its positioning shaft extending parallel to the axis of the journals 4 and 5. When the supporting structure 9 is swiveled the quarter spheres 7 and the hemisphere 6 are swiveled as well and the potentiometer 14 is moved along an arcuate path about. the fixed gear 11 while the mating gear 12 is rotated about its axis. As a result, the slider of the potentiometer is displaced in proportion to the swivel angle of the supporting structure 9.

The supporting structure 9 also carries the switches 15 whose tappets 16 slide along cam plates 17 which are secured to the journal 5 in a manner preventing relative rotation. The shape of the cam plates 17 is such that the switches 15 will be reversed upon passing the central neutral position.

Furthermore, the supporting structure 9 has secured to it a micro-switch 18 which is operated by a cam plate 19 actingon its tappet 20. The cam plate '19 is rigidly connected to a control lever 21 which projects through the longitudinal slot 8 and carries a ball handle 22 at its angled free'end. The cam plate 19 is mounted on a positioning shaft '23 of a potentiometer 24 in a manner preventing relative rotation. The potentiometer 24, in turn, is secured to the supporting structure 9 by means of a retaining plate 25 which also serves to carry the micro-switch 18. Separated from-the'micro-switch 18 by a cam plate angle of a further micro-switch 26 is provided on the retaining plate 25 and the shape of the cam plate 19 is such that the two switches 18 and 26 will be alternately operated. The system described,

comprising the micro-switches l8 and 26, the cam plate 19, the control lever 21 and the potentiometer 24, is accommodated in one half of the space enclosed by the sphere as defined by the plane of symmetry of the slot 8. In the other half of the sphere, an identical system is provided in a mirror-image arrangement. The numerals relating to this se'cond'half are marked with a In the present example, the control lever 21 serves to control a propeller producing a transverse thrust which is located in one end zone of the submarine craft while the control lever 21' controls an identical propeller producing a transverse thrust which is located in the opposite end zone of the submarine craft.

In a highly schematized and simplified representation, FIG. shows how a propulsion unit is controlled with the control device of the present invention. The diagram is limited to the control system for a single propulsion unit. Through a line 28, one pole of a battery 27 is connected to a central tap 29 of a winding 30, which is the winding of the potentiometer 14. The two end of the winding 30 are connected to each other and to the other pole of the battery 27 by means of a connection 31. In the neutral position of the supporting structure 9, which is also the neutral position of the hemisphere 6 and the quarter spheres 7, a slider 32 is located in the central zone of the winding 30 at a point whose potential equals the potential of the central tap 29. A line 33 runs from the slider 32 to a winding 34 of a flow control valve 35. From the other end of the winding 34, a line 36 runs to the line 28. Two switch contacts 37, which are located inside the microswitches, are connected to the line 36 with one of their poles. From the other pole of the one switch contact 37, a wire 38 runs to a winding 39 of a change-over valve 40; from the other end of the winding 39 a line 55 runs to the connection 31. Furthermore, the line 55 leads to a further winding 56 of the change-over valve 40 whence a wire 57 is led to the one pole of the second switch contact 37 whose other pole is connected to the line 36. The two switch contacts 37 are in the OFF position shown in. the drawing when the slider 32 is located in the middle of the winding 30. When the slider 32 is displaced from its central neutral position by swiveling the supporting structure 9, one of the two switch contacts 37 will be actuated; when the supporting structure is swiveled in the other direction, the other of the two switch contacts 37 will be actuated. As a result, either the winding 39 or the winding 56 will be energized, causing the slide valve of the changeover valve 40 to move to one of its two positions. Depending on the swivel angle of the supporting structure 9, the winding 34 will be energized to a greater or lesser degree so that the flow control valve 35 will pass more or less fluid.

Through a cable 42, a power source 41 supplies an electric motor 43 which, through a shaft 44, drives a hydraulic pump 45 whose suction connection 46 is led into a hydraulic fluid tank 47. The discharge connection of the hydraulic pump 45 has connected to it a pipe line 48 leading to the flow control valve 35 whence a further pipe line 49 leads to a connection of the change-over valve 40. From another connection of the change-over valve 40, a pipe line 50 returns to the hydraulic fluid tank 47. At. the two other connections of the change-over valve 40 there are connected two hose lines 51 leading to a hydraulic motor 52 which, through a shaft 53, drives a propeller 54. In its central position of rest, which is maintained by means of springs (not shown), the slide valve of the change-over valve 40 shuts off all connected lines. In the one position, which is assumed 39, hydraulic fluid flows to the hydraulic motor 52 in the one direction, while upon exitation of the other winding 56, when the slide valve of the change-over valve 40 is moved to its other position, the hydraulic fluid will flow to the hydraulic motor 52in the opposite direction, thereby reversing its sense of rotation. The flow of hydraulic fluid, which determines the speed of the hydraulic motor 52, and, consequently, the thrust produced by the propeller 54, depends on the amount upon excitation of the winding of fluid passed by the flow control valve 35 which, in turn, depends on the position of the slider 32 and, thus, on the angle through which the supporting structure 9, together with the hemisphere 6 and the quarter sphere 7, is swiveled.

As its stern, a submarine craft with a pressure hull 58 is provided with the propeller 54 whose axis of rotation and, thus, direction of thrust coincides with the longitudinal axis of the pressure hull 58 of the submarine craft. One propeller 59 and one propeller 60, driven by a hydraulic motor (not shown), are provided in the bow region and stern region respectively. The axes of rotation of the propellers 59 and 60 are parallel to each other and normal to the axis of rotation of the propeller 54. If the orientation of the axes of rotation of the propellers 59 and 60 is vertical, the propellers may be used for surfacing or diving maneuvers. If, on the other hand, the axes of rotation of the propellers 59 and 60 are horizontally oriented, the submarine craft may be displaced sideways by operating the propellers 59 and 60 with equal thrust. If the propellers are operated with unequal thrust'or in different directions, the craft may be turned about its vertical axis. The hydraulic motors (not shown) which drive the propellers 59 and 60 are controlled by the swivel motion of the control levers 21 and 21'. By moving both control levers in the direction indicated by the arrow 61 in FIG. 2, the supporting structure 9 is swiveled about the axis of the journals 4 and 5, thereby influencing speed and sense of rotation of the main propeller 54. This causes the submarine craft to be propelled ahead or astem at the desired speed. On the other hand, when the two control levers 21 and 21' are moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 62 in FIG. 3, this will not alter the angular position of the supporting structure 9 and the hydraulic motors of the propellers 59 and 60 will be operated with the same sense of rotation, which enables the submarine craft to be displaced sideways. Be swiveling the two control levers 21 and 21 through unequal angles or in opposite directions, the submarine craft may be turned about an axis normal to the plane defined by the axes of rotation of the propellers 59 and 60. i Connectors 63 are incorporated in the line 33, the line 36, the wire 38, the line 55 and the wire 57. Similar connectors are provided at a plurality of points in the submarine craft so that the control device with its potentiometers and switches may be installed at a plurality of points throughout the submarine craft and connected to mating connectors provided at these points, which has advantages for the helmsman steering the craft.

It shall be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown by way of example and that other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of this invention.

It has been found that a particularly practical arrangement is one whereby the control device is so lo cated in the craft to be controlled that the movement in the direction indicated by the arrow 61 will also produce a movement of the craft in the direction indicated by the arrow 61, i.e., an arrangement wherein the axis of the journals 4 and 5 is normal to the axis of rotation of the propeller 54 which is controlled by the swivel motion about the axis of the journals. Similarly, it is advisable for practical reasons to dispose the control device so that the swivel motion of the control levers 21 and 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow 62 will produce a motion of the craft in the same direction, which is achieved by locating the swivel axis of the positioning shafts 23 normal to the axis of rotation of the propellers 59 and 60 in conjunction with a corresponding polarity of the hydraulic motors of these two propellers. An added advantage of this arrangement consists in that the craft may be turned about an axis which is normal to the drawing plane of FIG. 1 by moving the two control levers 21 and 21 in the direction of the arrows 64 and 65 respectively in FIG. 1. The direction in which the craft is turned is then determined by the force couple symbolized by the two arrows 64 and 65. Such an arrangement, in which the control movements are so obviously correlated to the desired movements of the craft, will greatly facilitatethe helmsmans task.

What is claimed is:

l. A control device for one hand operation to provide individual independent control of at least three variables, especially for the controlling of drive units of a submarine craft comprising: a pivotably mounted support means, a first control member operatively connected to and adjustable by said support means, at least two operating elements pivotally mounted on said support means, said operating elements having a common pivot axis disposed at right angles to he pivot axis of said support means, and at least a second and third control member mounted on said support means for pivoting therewith operatively connected to and adjustable by said at least two operating elements.

2. A control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means is surrounded by a sphere or spherical segment provided with a cut-out means for receiving said operating elements.

3. A control device as claimed in claim 2, wherein at said one of the control members is accommodated within the sphere.

4. A control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pivot axes of said sphere and the pivot axes of said operating elements intersect in the center of the sphere.

5. A control device as claimed in claim 1, including a main propulsion unit having a motor wherein said main propulsion unit is controlled by the pivotal motion of said support means which adjusts at least one of the speed and sense of rotation of said motor of said main propulsion unit through said first control memher.

6. A control device as claimed in claim 1, including two auxiliary propulsion units each having a motor wherein said auxiliary propulsion units disposed in spaced relation to each other are controlled by the pivotal motions of said operating elements respectively, to adjust at least one of the speed and sense of rotation of said motor of the respective auxiliary propulsion unit through said second or third control member respectively.

7. A control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means is pivotably supported on at least a pair of fixed journals, said first control positionable by the pivotal motion of the said support means is secured vided with tappets engageable to said support means and a positioning means is operatively connected to one of said journals for positioning said first control member.

8. A control device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said positioning means includes at least a shaft and a gear, and at least one of said journals has splined onto it a gear which meshes with said gear of said positioning means.

9. A control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said control members are provided with positioning means for positioning said control members including shafts, said shafts being coaxial with the pivotal axes of said operating elements.

10. A control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control members include potentiometers, and switch means.

11. A control device as claimed in claim 10, including drive motors, wherein said switch means serve to reverse the sense of rotation of said drive motors and said potentionmeters are used to adjust the speed of said motors. v

12. A control device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said drive motors are hydraulic motors which serve as propulsion units for the submarine craft and solenoidoperated change-over valve means and flow control valve means for controlling said hydraulic motors are provided, said switch means controlling the energization of the solenoids and said potentiometers are used for controlling the operation of said flow control valves.

13. A control device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said device is provided with mechanical detachable fastener means and detachable connector means for said control members.

14. A control device according to claim 1, wherein said control members include potentiometers and micro-switches.

15. A control device according to claim 14, including drive motrs, wherein said micro-switches serve to reverse the sense of rotation of said drive motors and said potentiometers are used to adjust the speed of said drive motors.

16. A control device according to claim 1, including further control members operatively connected to and adjustable by said support means.

17. A control device according to claim 16, wherein said pivotally mounted support means is disposed on a pair of journals, at least one of said journals being provided with means for actuating said further control members.

18. A control device according to claim 17, wherein said means for actuating said further control members includes at least a pair of cams fixed to said journal and engageable with said further control members.

19. A control device according to claim 18, wherein said further control members include switches prowith said cams. 

1. A control device for one hand operation to provide individual independent control of at least three variables, especially for the controlling of drive units of a submarine craft comprising: a pivotably mounted support means, a first control member operatively connected to and adjustable by said support means, at least two operating elements pivotally mounted on said support means, said operating elements having a common pivot axis disposed at right angles to he pivot axis of said support means, and at least a second and third control member mounted on said support means for pivoting therewith operatively connected to and adjustable by said at least two operating elements.
 2. A control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means is surrounded by a sphere or spherical segment provided with a cut-out means for receiving said operating elements.
 3. A control device as claimed in claim 2, wherein at said one of the control members is accommodated within the sphere.
 4. A control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pivot axes of said sphere and the pivot axes of said operating elements intersect in the center of the sphere.
 5. A control device as claimed in claim 1, including a main propulsion unit having a motor wherein said main propulsion unit is controlled by the pivotal motion of said support means which adjusts at least one of the speed and sense of rotation of said motor of said main propulsion unit through said first control member.
 6. A control device as claimed in claim 1, including two auxiliary propulsion units each having a motor wherein said auxiliary propulsion units disposed in spaced relation to each other are controlled by the pivotal motions of said operating elements respectively, to adjust at least one of the speed and sense of rotation of said motor of the respective auxiliary propulsion unit through said seconD or third control member respectively.
 7. A control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means is pivotably supported on at least a pair of fixed journals, said first control positionable by the pivotal motion of the said support means is secured to said support means and a positioning means is operatively connected to one of said journals for positioning said first control member.
 8. A control device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said positioning means includes at least a shaft and a gear, and at least one of said journals has splined onto it a gear which meshes with said gear of said positioning means.
 9. A control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said control members are provided with positioning means for positioning said control members including shafts, said shafts being coaxial with the pivotal axes of said operating elements.
 10. A control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control members include potentiometers, and switch means.
 11. A control device as claimed in claim 10, including drive motors, wherein said switch means serve to reverse the sense of rotation of said drive motors and said potentionmeters are used to adjust the speed of said motors.
 12. A control device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said drive motors are hydraulic motors which serve as propulsion units for the submarine craft and solenoid-operated change-over valve means and flow control valve means for controlling said hydraulic motors are provided, said switch means controlling the energization of the solenoids and said potentiometers are used for controlling the operation of said flow control valves.
 13. A control device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said device is provided with mechanical detachable fastener means and detachable connector means for said control members.
 14. A control device according to claim 1, wherein said control members include potentiometers and micro-switches.
 15. A control device according to claim 14, including drive motrs, wherein said micro-switches serve to reverse the sense of rotation of said drive motors and said potentiometers are used to adjust the speed of said drive motors.
 16. A control device according to claim 1, including further control members operatively connected to and adjustable by said support means.
 17. A control device according to claim 16, wherein said pivotally mounted support means is disposed on a pair of journals, at least one of said journals being provided with means for actuating said further control members.
 18. A control device according to claim 17, wherein said means for actuating said further control members includes at least a pair of cams fixed to said journal and engageable with said further control members.
 19. A control device according to claim 18, wherein said further control members include switches provided with tappets engageable with said cams. 